A/N: I do not own the guys and gals and since I am not making anything from these works please don't sue me Mr. Kripke. I do own all OC's that appear though. For everyone out there reading, reviewing and yes lurking: The support and feedback has been the best!

Metallikirk-Thanks for the supportive review!!! Don't worry it's always the darkest before the light ;)

As the hunters search for Afriel, the angel suffers at Lilith's hand….

Lilith stood over the defiant angel seeing those brown eyes turning hard and bold against the demon. The Original One leaned over and petted the seraph's hair in a mocking gesture grinning in delight as he jerked his head away from the demon's cold touch.

"Stay away from me," the little voice growled squeaking on the last word. Lilith laughed at his hollow demand turning to Uriel as he stood there in the shadows. The angel stepped out into the light narrowing his dark eyes at the bound angel. Afriel sadly shook his head as his brother revealed himself.

"I expected this from Anna but not you, Uriel. Do you really despise God that much you would side with her?" Uriel snorted at the mention of the name of their Father and rolled his eyes in total disgust and loathing. Afriel continued looking over with sadness in his eyes as he received his answer.

"You are blind, Afriel. Wake up and see the bigger picture! We are but second fiddle to a horde of heathenistic mud monkeys! They are nothing more than two legs with plumbing yet you choose to cavort with them! Join the winning side, Afriel. Angels are starting to see what Lucifer saw all along and throwing down their weapons to join me."

"No, Uriel, you are the one that is blind. If Lucifer walks the Earth again everything will be plunged into total darkness and humanity will suffer greatly. But I suppose that is what you wanted all along right?" Afriel narrowed his eyes until they were tiny slits and then he saw it.

"You tried to kill Brooklyn! You snatched her from Castiel and then lured him out. You truly are a monster, Uriel. How could you? You hate her so much that you were willing to destroy Castiel's soul. I would rather die than help raise Lucifer," Afriel spat out the last several words in pure anger and rage.

"Suit yourself little brother," his tone callous and cold as Uriel vanished into the night. Lilith tilted her head downward sneering at the seraph. Afriel turned his head to stare directly at the demon.

"You are such a bitch, Lilith," Lilith merely snickered at his remark surprised that Afriel would even have the gall to say such things.

"You think I'm a bitch now, Afriel, wait until I get through with you," to show she was serious Alistair appeared beside her with his tools of pain and torment.

"Hello, Afriel, so nice to see you after all this time," the angel merely clenched his jaw as his heart pounded loudly in his chest. He had seen what happened to Dean in Hell and prepared himself for the suffering that was to come. The first cut was the deepest as the blade tore at his skin ripping through muscle and flesh, organ and viscera alike. The angel fought to keep the scream from escaping his mouth failing as the room echoed in the high pitched wails of pain and anguish. The sound of agony was music to their ears as Alistair kicked his fun up another notch. The Picasso of Torture's fingers wiggled as his eyes scanned the toys in his collection deciding on the lengthy serrated blade that would do what he wanted.

He turned to the angel seeing the blood rushing out of the angel's body as he hovered over his victim with a maddening glint in his eyes. Afriel's heart pounded harder as he felt the blade break apart his ribcage. The angel screamed louder closing his eyes tight as Alistair whistled while he worked.

Dean cocked the sawed off as the creature still circled over the house. Lilith had left her little bundle of misery behind once she got her nasty hands on his angel. He quickly shook his head as Dean had to realize Afriel wasn't his angel and never would be. Biting back the bitter tears struggling to form, the hunter returned his attention to the unholy thing circling slowly above them.

Above the hunters its blood red orbs flashed an unnatural crimson focused on the forms of the men below. Its vision like infrared as their body heat radiated creating an orange halo around them. Gliding around once more it prepared to strike. The air carried the unnatural shriek before it started its descent. In a rush of air and black leathering wings it set its sights on the Archangel Raphael.

The Healer caught the impending assault immediately realizing the creature was taking aim at him. The Archangel stood his ground refusing to show fear as the shadowy outline hurled towards the Earth with claws outstretched reaching towards the Healer. Raphael could smell the sulfur and brimstone upon its breath causing his stomach to sour and churn as the offensive odors rushed across his nose. The Healer's sharp eyes picked up the faint hints of smoke flaring from its nasal passages and reaching his skin burning his vessel like acid. Gritting his teeth and wincing at the pain, the angel braced his body ready for whatever came his way.

Dean cocked his sawed off knowing it wouldn't kill the son of a bitch but slow it down a little. It may be impervious to all conventional weapons didn't mean the bastard didn't feel pain. And pain was what he planned to cause.

"Hey Big Bird, let's play count the bullets!" The hunter shouted as he fired off several rounds with Brady and Sam following suite. Markus rushed to Raphael's side holding a crossbow with silver tipped arrows. They knew their weapons were insufficient to say the least but what little they held was better than nothing at all.

Raphael shot his hands up creating a powerful shield around them just as the creature barreled down on the Healer. It shrieked in pain as it collided with the invisible barrier. White light pulsated through the dark desert night as Raphael's powers held steadfast against the attack. Sensing an opportunity, Dean and Sam immediately opened fire pelting the creature as it lay stunned on the ground. Markus pulled the trigger sending a barrage of arrows watching as the silver tips gleamed in the moonlight before sinking deep within their target.

"I think you pissed it off, Markus," Dean said frantically reloading his firearm. Brady stepped forward and covered the hunter as he squeezed off more than his fair share of rounds. Now it was angry and enraged at the onslaught it was being subjected to. A deep low rumble that Sam swore was the thing's laughter erupted from within the depths of the creature's chest sending chills down their spines. Raphael concentrated harder strengthening their shelter pouring everything he had as he could feel the first tiny pangs of fatigue stinging his muscles. Paying no heed to the burning sensations, the Healer kept a cool demeanor as he saw the creature rising to its feet.

It stood and with its mind forced the bullets of salt and sliver tipped arrows from its body growling as each projectile was ejected. Dean stood frozen in place watching as the bastard slowly composed itself glaring at the group the entire time. He could feel the fire of the creature's hellish stare burning through his eyes seizing his soul and wrapping its foul taint around his spirit.

"Get the Hell out of my mind you son of a bitch!" The elder Winchester stumbled back falling hard and fast towards the ground with his hands pressed tight against his ears. The hunter thrashed upon the ground screaming at the invisible enemy tormenting him.

"Dean!" Brady shouted as Sam rushed to his brother's side. The younger man dropped to his knees holding his brother's head and shoulders in his lap fighting his brother until he went limp in his arms. Dean looked up with pained eyes as Sam knew it had fucked with his brother's mind forcing him to recall his time as tormentor to the damned. As he lay there with eyes wide open, Sam realized it had trapped Dean, imprisoning him within the confines of his mind.

"Dean! Dean can you hear me?! Damn it Dean wake the Hell up!" Sam felt his throat turn raw from shouting at his brother as reality slowly started to set in. Brady turned seeing his friend lying there catatonic with Sam shaking uncontrollably as he cradled his brother's body. Dean remained listless mumbling incoherently. Brady felt his anger rising within his very core turning back towards the creature as it hovered above them. His eyes darted towards Raphael seeing the angel was beginning to waver slightly.

"Raphe!" Brady dropped the gun from his hands hurrying to the Archangel's side as the Healer grappled to keep their eroding shield intact. The muscles beneath Raphael's skin tensed and ached until the Archangel couldn't feel the burning sensations no more.

"Hold on Raphael, I'm here," Brady said breathlessly. Without thinking the hunter gripped the Archangel's arm encircling his fingers around hard flesh. As hunter and Archangel stood locked together, Raphael could feel something awakening within the hunter as he remained connected to the divine being. Brady too felt the stirring within his being as the air became heated with a surge of energy emboldening the Healer filling him with a renewed strength and determination. Markus turned as a glow emerged from the corner of his eye. Disbelief was replaced by faith and conviction as he hastened towards the pair placing his hands on the Healer's other arm.

Raphael closed his eyes as he chanted the ancient invocation feeling his vessel flowing with the shared energy of the hunters. Brady and Markus felt their lips begin to move flawlessly chanting the ancient spell. Brady could feel himself continue to channel forth every ounce he had yet feeling no fatigue or exhaustion.

Sam watched in awe as the trio, awash in gold blue and pearl, projected a power charge at the demonic presence banishing it from where they stood. The creature hollered as the pure and divine flash cast it back to Hell. The ray of light vanished as fast as it appeared leaving the house and men in darkness. As the beam faded out Brady felt his knees buckling threatening to give way as he stood there. He felt as if he was tied to a comet as the rush he experienced was better than any sexual encounter he ever had.

Markus looked over as Brady looked a little green around the gills as if he was ready to pass out.

"Markus, I don't feel so well," as the last word left his lips, Brady collapsed to the ground. Markus released his hold on Raphael and checked on the unconscious man. Brady's heart was racing and beads of sweat had broken out upon his forehead.

Raphael looked down as Markus stood back up. "He'll be fine, Markus. When someone with the gifts that Braden possesses calls forth upon them in such a demanding manner it tends to consume all of their energy essentially wiping them out as humans put it. But no fear as he will be fine within a day."

The immortal nodded as they turned to Sam seeing him cradling his brother in his arms rocking him back and forth. The elder Winchester continued his senseless rants and mumblings unaware of what was occurring around him. The Archangel picked up the hunter and carried him inside. Sam rose and followed the solemn procession. Markus brought up the rear stopping to gather Brady over his shoulder before stepping inside. He hoisted the taller man over his shoulder with ease shifting him comfortably across his shoulder then proceeded indoors.

Tariel was on the bed in the panic room deep in prayer as the sound of boots crunching over glass and wood made her snap up to see Raphael holding Dean in his arms. She gasped in shock at the sight of her beloved listless and unresponsive. Tariel could hear the mindless ramblings escaping his lips as Raphael lowered him onto the bed.

"What happened?!" she demanded looking up at the Archangel. Confusion and grief prominent in those beautiful hazel depths making it difficult for Raphael to tell her what happened out there. How Lilith's demonic creature tore at her love's soul imprisoning Dean within his own mind forcing him to relive his time in Hell. How he was unsure of how to heal his fragile state of mind.

"We don't know, Tariel," and to be honest, none of them knew exactly what happened or what is occurring within Dean's soul. Raphael took a deep breath before telling her what they did know. The Healer took her hands within his feeling the anxiety gripping her tight. The Archangel forced his eyes to meet her own as he heard his voice forming the words.

"What we do know is It did something to Dean, something that has made him a prisoner in his own mind and body. But that is not all, Tariel. Dean is reliving his time in Hell," Raphael felt the smaller hands slipping from his own as she collapsed beside her lover seeing the emptiness in his wide eyes. The angel placed her hands on his face hoping her touch would bring him back. No words could describe what was running through her mind and pulsing within her soul as Tariel could gather enough strength to lovingly hold her hunter.

None of the men knew what to say as their words would offer little if any comfort to the anguished angel.

"Come on, let us give her room," Markus whispered ushering the others out and upstairs. Tariel sobbed into Dean's leather jacket as she held him tight. How could this be happening!? She had finally awakened to see him there with open arms and heart. Lilith would pay dearly for this.

Sam paced nervously in the living room as Brady watched. The younger hunter wanted to track down the bitch and drag her sorry ass right into a devil's trap and torture her until she begged for mercy to which he would only torment her more and harder breaking her demonic soul as she accomplished with Dean.

"Why are we still here?! We should be out there hunting Lilith down!"

"Because we haven't a clue where to begin, Samuel," Markus's voice was cool yet deep for centuries of hunting had taught him that losing control of his emotions could be costly. Sam was doing just that, letting his emotions grab a hold of him clouding his thoughts and judgment. His body tensed up and his jaw clenched so hard it had to be painful.

"And are we forgetting something here? She has Afriel. Perhaps the two are connected," Brady cautiously suggested. Sam glared at his friend as the thought of Lilith tormenting and harming the small seraph enraged him further. Markus could sense the hatred gripping Sam's mind and gently placed a hand upon his shoulder. Instantly the tension in Sam's body loosened up as his jaw began to unclench allowing the hunter to relax beneath the hunter's touch. Markus gently guided the receptive man towards the couch and pushed him down upon the plush seat. Sam shook his head and blinked his eyes once the connection between the hunters was broken.

"Now are you going to stay calm or must I use something a bit more blunt?" Steel blue eyes peered into his brown ones as Sam shook his head not wanting to have another experience of the Markus kind. Markus nodded before rising up and turning to Raphael.

"Any ideas on where to start looking?" The Healer took a deep breath unsure of where to start. Lilith was the master of covering her tracks as he had seen first-hand all those centuries ago. Knowing he couldn't lie or even bend the truth, Raphael lifted his head showing uncertainty and doubt on his face.

"I believe we are fucked as Dean puts it so colorfully," this was so what Sam didn't want to be hearing and worst of all coming from a damn Archangel!

"Lovely, just freaking lovely. So now not only does Lilith have Afriel but she managed to turn Dean into a vegetable."

"Samuel," Markus shot a warning glance at the hunter. Sam stopped before he stuck his foot in his mouth again and instead slapped his open palms against the furniture and grunted in frustration.

Tensions ran high as everyone remained silent wary of saying anything further. The four men remained on edge as seconds dragged on into minutes wearing down their patience. No one noticed the presence that appeared in the corner.

"Perhaps I can be of assistance," the voice boomed from the shadows.

"Well, look who's here," Brady said smiling at Gabriel.

"Gabriel, thank the gods you are here," Markus embraced his old friend relieved that help arrived.

Gabriel noted the worried expressions as he was aware of what happened earlier in the evening. When it came to Dean and Samuel Winchester it was always his business.

"I came as soon as I heard what happened. We need to locate Lilith."

"Thank you, Captain Obvious for enlightening us on this matter," Sam muttered beneath his breath. The Messenger shot his head at Sam detecting conflicting emotions raging like a wildfire within his soul.

"I know you are upset, Samuel but I have brought help," a second figure stepped forth from the shadows. Raphael's eyes went wide as he recognized Gabriel's companion.

"Assiel," he whispered

Alright next update soon! I told you I would update despite the holiday! Thanks again for all the killer support and feedback. This all means so much to me!